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Escape from Corporate America
Apr 21
Short Read: Buy this book. Read it.
The Corporate Malcontent’s iPod Playlist
Who could go wrong with a book that includes “The Corporate Malcontent’s iPod Playlist” and “The Corporate Malcontent’s Movie Night”? (“Back on the Chain Gang” and “Office Space” as song and movie examples.) Journalist Pamela Skillings pulls off the early HR book of the year in my…book…with Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams.
Clever Writing and Stats: Quite a Mix for a Business Book
Skillings writes with a cleverness backed up with solid stats:
Recent surveys show that 50 percent of American workers are dissatisfied with their jobs and 80 percent fantasize about leaving their current gigs.
A Cautionary Tale for HR Recruiting and EE Development
With the economy declining and the workforce changing rapidly, Escape from Corporate America is an even more important read for HR professionals who care about the psyche of their employees. And the book can be read as a cautionary tale for those who are responsible for attraction and retention of an essential workforce. That’s very pointed by what Skillings writes in “We Are All Entrepreneurs Now”:
The age of the employee is over. No matter whom you work for or how many stock options you own, the future of your career is ultimately up to you.
Advice for Corporate Types, Too
The cool thing about Escape from Corporate America is that it’s not corporate bashing. It’s great advice for people who are considering escaping as well as for those who will stay. In fact, Skillings wrote an entire chapter titled “How to Get a Corporate Job That Doesn’t Suck: A Step-by-Step Guide.”
Daring Tales of Corporate Escape
Pamela Skillings interviewed dozens of escapees from corporate America, from Dilbert-creator Scott Adams to Samuel Adams brewer Jim Koch. The book is full of “Daring Tales of Corporate Escape” that are the results of the interviews.
I’m an Escapee from Corporate America
Perhaps Escape from Corporate America appeals to me because I’m a fellow escapee from the big office. I like having a small business where we make the rules (or get rid of most of them). I highly recommend this book. It’s my favorite so far this year and one that HR people should read…then put on their bookshelf.
Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams
Publisher: Ballantine Books (May 13, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0345499743
ISBN-13: 978-0345499745
About the Author
Frank Roche
Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.
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Frank, this looks like a must read. Thanks for showing a glimpse of the wealth within.
Hi Robyn. I think that Pam Skillings wrote a real winner. I rarely have as good a feeling about a book. In the past couple of years I’ve felt this way about Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk, The No Asshole Rule by Bob Sutton, and Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath.
There are lots of good books out there in the management/HR space, but few go into the category of where I quote from them the next day and talk about them to colleagues. Clever writing coupled with deep research is a powerful combo. This is one of those.
Thanks for the heads up, Frank.
Between the promotional copies received and my normal reading, I’ve got no shortage of material. Your description of this one and the company in which you placed it tell me to grab a copy.
Keep writing. . .
Hi Steve, it’s a good one and worth picking up.
I admire your work…glad to hear from you!